Living in the City of Festivals doesn’t make it easy to stay fit. Whether you’re talking Summerfest or Mitten Fest or any of the fests in between, just about the only health-conscious thing anyone does at these events is walk.
A new event coming up in just a few weeks aims to change that.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, Milwaukee World Festival (MWF) and Aurora Health Care will launch PULSE, a free community event they’re billing as “A Health & Wellness Fest for All.” After previously sharing a few details about what we can expect at Henry Maier Festival Park that day, the organizations on Wednesday announced even more information to provide a fuller picture of the event.
From yoga classes to kid-centric programs, the activities and amenities you’ll find on the Summerfest grounds that day include:
- A Driven Elite HIIT class led by Donald Driver, the all-time leading receiver in Green Bay Packers history who has since expanded into the fitness world through books (The 3D Body Revolution) and his Driven Elite Fitness and Health centers.
- Zumba led by YMCA’s Dominique Johnson.
- A cooking stage (sponsored by Pick ‘n Save with Kroger Delivery) featuring demonstrations from Milwaukee area chefs like Adam Pawlak from Egg & Flour and Dana Spandet from Flour Girl & Flame, among others.
- 50+ health and wellness organizations and vendors offering resources, fitness experiences, apparel sales, food and beverage sampling, and more.
- Panel discussions on mental health and family wellness with medical professionals and experts from Aurora Health Care, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Heal Black Men, and more.
- A one-mile family walk through the park with Girls on the Run.
- Interactive fitness experiences, classes and activities for all ages with Orangetheory Fitness, Wisconsin Athletic Club, Toned Body Fitness, Sculpting Sistas, Sky Yoga, Tribal Yoga School, YogaSix, The Moving Galaxy, The Milwaukee Rec, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Animal Flow in Milwaukee, She Wolf MKE and many others.
- Milwaukee’s own DJ Shawna spinning upbeat tunes In the Aurora Pavilion throughout the day.
- Pickleball Village with Prolite, Pickleball Kingdom and Centerline Athletics, featuring open play, workshops, coaching and Pickleball vendors selling merchandise.
“We are thrilled to launch this new free event powered by Aurora Health Care at Henry Maier Festival Park to showcase a range of organizations focused on improving the health and wellness of our community,” MWF president and CEO Sarah Pancheri said in a release. “Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or interested in learning how to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle for you and your family, we encourage you to register today and join us as at the lakefront for PULSE.”
Aurora Health Care president Gabrielle Finley-Hazle added that the organization is “proud to sponsor this first-of-its-kind family-friendly health and wellness fest as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve. With PULSE, we aim to promote healthy living and provide valuable resources to local families, along with other community organizations. We believe that investing in health is an investment in the future, and we are excited to contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community.”
If being healthier and more vibrant sounds up your alley, all you need to do is show up at Henry Maier Festival Park between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. It sounds like you’ll need to register before being allowed entry, so organizers are encouraging attendees to do so in advance using this online form and then show your confirmation email at the gate.
Take a look at the schedule below and, if you're looking for more information, visit the festival's home online.
